Water scarcity: Save today for a better tomorrow

Research report says a digging of up to 500-700 feet is required to obtain potable water

LAHORE: Highlighting the severity of water scarcity, Punjab Irrigation Research Institute Director Gulam Zakir Siyal has said immediate measures are needed to save the farming sector and to ensure clean water for citizens.

The level of underground has been declining by 2.5 feet annually in Lahore. In many places, the level has gone down to 100 feet which is below the natural limit and this water is not even potable. Now, digging of up to 500-700 feet is required to obtain potable water.

Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director Zahid Aziz says the underground water is decreasing. Measures have been taken by the government to prevent the dropping level. He maintains that plants will be installed in three years which will make lake water useable after a filtration process. Through these plants, 100 cusecs of water will be provided daily, while WASA’s target is to increase it to 1,000 cusecs by 2035. A recent report by the Research Center of Punjab Agriculture reveals that WASA has installed 480 tubes wells at a depth of 150 to 200 metres which are providing 1,170 cusecs of water daily. The irrigation department is engaged in promoting drip irrigation to achieve the maximum benefits of the minimum use of water.

Provincial Minister for Agriculture Nouman Ahmed Langrial says drip irrigation and sprinkling systems are being installed on a subsidy under a project of Rs67 billion for the conservation and proper use of water.

He says the Punjab government is providing guidance to growers for proper use of available water. The minister says the government is putting up a 60% subsidy on the drip irrigation system. He says the water will directly reach the roots of plants through this system in the shape of drops.

The agriculture department is providing assistance to growers to promote the latest technology for ths high-efficiency irrigation system. He adds 60% water can be saved by installing the system for vegetables, orchards and other crops. The minister says 5,600 cubic metres of water was available in 1947 and it has decreased by 1,000 cubic metres at this current stage. He says it would reach 800 cubic metres by 2025. The minister points out that Pakistan is among the water-scarce countries. Langrial reveals 93% of the available water is being used for agricultural , leaving just 7% for daily use.

The minister says nullahs or canals are being cemented so that the wastage of water can be reduced.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2019.